Abrasive cutoff machine



9 1949' H. e. ROBINSON ABRASIVB CUTOFF CHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1946 mm: arr-g G.R0bm80fl BY v TTORNEY H. G. ROBINSON ABRASIVE CUTOFF MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb.' 14, 1946 Harry GRobinson ATTORNEY H. G. ROBINSON ABRASIVE CUIOFF MACHINE 9 She'ts-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 14, 1946 m R N m E 0. w m 16" T 2%, 1949. H. e. ROBINSON 2,465,399

v ABRASIVE CUTOFF MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Harz y GRolzz'nson ATTORNEY March 29; 1949.

H. G. ROBINSON ABRASIVE CUTOFF MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 14, 1946 1-11-111prua. "/1

1N YE'NTUR BY Harry G. Robinson ATTORNEY March 29, 19490 H. G. ROBINSON 2,465,399

ABRASIVE CUTOFF MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 IN V EN TOR.

I06 Harry GRobinson March 29, 1949. H. e. ROBINSON ABRASIVE CUTOFF MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 14, 1946 INVENTOR. H G. Robinson BY HQT'T' 6 ATTORNEY March l949- H. s. ROBINSON 7 2,465,399

ABRASIVE CUTOFF MAOHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1946 Y 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I l I/l/l mysuroa.

w I I ATTORNEY Harry G.Robinsoh Y Patented Mai. 29, 1949 eli'nmsrvn CUTOFF MACHINE {Application February 14, 1946, Serial No. 647,511

30 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in abrasive cut-off machines.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an abrasive cut-off machine particularly adapted for production work and which is automatic in its operation;

Another object is to provide in an abrasive cutoff machine means for effecting automatic adjustments to compensate for wheel wear.

A further object is to provide in an abrasive cut-ofi machine means for automatically feedthat the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such 4 variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the'invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an automatic cut-off machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine, the view being taken as looking from the left in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the upper portion of the machine, the view being taken as along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the guard or housing for the wheel being omitted;

Fig. 4' is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 3, the wheel guard being shown in'section;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken as along the plane of the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken as along the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 5 and showing the means for operating the Work clamps;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing the means for feeding the work;

a Fig. 8 is a sectionalview as along the line 8--8 of Fig. 7; f

Fig. 9 is a' detailed sectional view taken as along the-line 9--9 ofFig. '7; s

Fig. 10 is a detailed view showing part of the means for adjusting the abrasive wheel to compensate for wear;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing the details of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism; Fig.- 12 is a more or less diagrammatical view showing the hydraulic operation;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view showing the means 5 awn-3o *s rArss PATENT for feeding the work and clamping it in position;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken as along the line I4l4 of Fig. 13, and showing details of the work feeding means;

Fig. 15 is a detailed elevational view showing the means for feeding the work and with the incline of the bed greatly exaggerated;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged top plan View of the work gripping means;

Fig. 1'7 is a side elevational view of such means, on the scale of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a detail sectional view showing the control and operating means for the cut-off wheel feeding means;

Fig. '19 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 14 but with the stop omitted;

Fig. 20 is a rear elevational view of the cam controlled means for releasing the work holding means;

Fig. 21 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 20; i

Fig. 22 is a front elevational view revolution clutch employed;

Fig. 23 is a horizontal sectional view taken as along the line 23-23 of Fig. 22; and

Fig. 24 is-a vertical sectional view taken as along the line I l-24 of Fig. 23.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the machine of the invention includes a generally rectangular hollow base comprising a lower section Ill and an upper section II supported on said lower section. Obviously these sections may be bolted or otherwise secured together although no securing means is shown. Mounted on a bed I! at the upper side ofthe base section II is a work holding means comprising a pair of V-blocks l3 and I4, each having a slot l5 extending transversely therethrough for the reception or passage of an abrasive cutting wheel l6 held by clamping means I! and supported on an arbor or shaft I8.

Shaft l8 passes through a bearing on mounting means l9 and at its end remote from the disc or wheel l6 mounts a series of pulleys 20 driven by belts 2| also trained over pulleys fl on the shaft of an electric motor 23. With this construction it will be clear that while the motor 23 is operating the abrasive wheel or" disc 16 will be rotated. Bearing l9 issupported by'the forward end of an arm 24 pivoted at 2 5 and provided with counter balancing weights 26. Motor 23 is suitably mounted'on a bracket '21 attached to or formed with a movable post 2 8 and the shaft of said motor is actually aligned of a single .with the pivot 25 whereby the motor mayconabout the pivot for the purpose later to be Pivot 25 is mounted by the upper end portion of a bracket 21a in turn mounted on the upper end of the hollow post 20. The bracket 21a is adjustable on the upper end of the post 2. by adjustment of the screws or bolts 2! so as to align the pivot 25 with the shaft of motor 23 and is further adjustable laterally on manipulation of the bolts to so position the parts that the cut-off wheel. I5 is aligned with the slot or kerf (5 of the V-blocks.

Additionally, bracket 21a carries an arm II bifurcated at its outer end and straddling the cylinder 32 of a dash pot means. Such cylinder is pivotally mounted on the arm 3| by pivot means ll (see Fig. 3) and the upper end of the rod 24 of such dash pot means is pivoted at 35 to the arm 24. In a piping arrangement, generally designated It, betweenthe upper and lower ends ofthe dash pot, a control valve 31 is adjustable by manipulation of a pointerv It on the forward face of an indicator dial It whereby to control the rate of flow of fluid from one end to the other of the dash pot whereby the latter acts as a restraining or cushioning means for the arm 24 and parts carried thereby.

Post 28 is substantially L-shaped and its lower or foot portion 40 (see Fig. 2), is carried forwardly'into base section It and pivoted as at 4|. A heavy coil spring 42 has one end against a block or foot portion 43 comprising part of base section It and has its other end bearing against a plate 44 on the lower end of a threaded rod or bolt 45 passing through a web portion 45 of the post 28. A ring or shoulder 41 on the bolt is kept against the underside of the web 46 by the action of the spring 42 and it will be clear from Fig. 2 that the spring 42 is constantly tending to move the vertical post post to rock about the pivot 4 l Also in base section III is an electric motor 4l .servin8 to drive an eccentric means 49 which through an arm or link 50 is pivoted to the post 25 at 5| With this arrangement it will be clear that when the motor 48 is operating the link or pitman 50 will be constantly urging the post upwardly and downwardly rocking it on the pivot 4|. The spring 42 assists in imparting upward movement to the post and the result of such movement of the post is that the disc I6 is given a movement crosswise with respect to the machine and particularly with respect to any work on the V-blocks.

The general cut-off machine structure as above described is disclosed in my Patents 2,262,049 and-2,358,880 of November 11, 1941, and September 26, 1944, respectively.

Mounted in the bed section II and extending transversely thereof is a cam shaft 52. At one end this shaft has bearing in a wall portion 53 of the base section and at its other end has bearing in a removable bearing plate 54 mounted in an openinginthe'wall 55 of said base section. A pulley 56 near one end of the shaft 52 is driven by abelt 51 also trained over a pulley it on the shaft of a motor 59 supported on the lower side of a mounting plate 60. This 'plate in turn is provided with ears 6| pivoted on a shaft or bar 62 supported by cars 63 attached to or formed with the underside of an extension 54 of base section i l By the described construction motor 59 is pivotaily mounted and it may be adjusted so i 4 that the proper tension is maintained in the drive belt II. For the P rp e of adjustment a screw 65 is shown as passing through a portion of the plate It and adjustable against the underside of extension 54. In addition to the end bearings described, cam shaft 52 has an intermediate support in the form of a post or upright 65 carried by base plate 81 bolted or otherwise suitably secured in place.

On the shaft 52 are a series of cams comprising briefly a cam I to impart return movement to the disc II, a cam ll controlling opening and closing of the work clamping means of the work feeding mechanism, a cam II controlling the work clamp associated with the V-blocks, a cam ll operating the pump means for supplying fluid under pressure to the work feeding mechanism, and a one revolution clutch device 12.

Cam tl (see Fig. 18) has a path I4 in which enters a pin or roller I5 rigid with one end of a rocker or arm I! which latter is pivoted at 11 and in its shorter end portion has an opening 18 through which passes the lower end of a rod 15. A pin 84 extended transversely of said rod limits the movement of the rod through the arm .opening II.

Additionally, a finger-like piece II is carried by the lower end of the rod It and is positioned to operate a micro switch I! at predetermined times as will later appear.

The upper portion of the red It (see Fig. 4) has a slot 83 therethrough and in. its opposite edges (through which edges said slot opens) is provided with series of. teeth 84 and 85 (see Fig.

10) Additionally, such upper portion of the rod passes through a tubular collar-like piece 85 located at the upper side of the arm 24 and pivotally mounted on a pair of ears II as by the pin 88.

Ears 81 are rigid with the arm 24 which latter has a slot at (Figs. 1 and 4) through which the rod 19 passes. Fixed to the member or collarlike piece 86 is a laterally extending plate ll (Fig. 10) supporting a solenoid II, the head 52 of the core or plunger of which is attached to a device generally designated .2 and serving to lock the structure It to the red It and also to provide for ad ustment of said rod through the arm 24 whereby to control the extent of the upward and downward movements or the rocking movement of said arm about the pivot 25 which movements are concerned with the cutting of work, as will later become clear.

The control of the solenoid 5i will later be set forth but here it is pointed out that the means 93 comprises a bar-like portion 54 pivoted to the solenoid core at 85 and at its opposite end having a pair of teeth 86 located one above the other. A rod 01 is threaded into the toothed end portion of the bar 84 and passes through the slot 83 in the rod It and at the side of said rod opposite the bar 04 mounts a second bar 94 having teeth 99 on its forward end. A coil spring Hill bears at its inner end against an outer surface of the collar-like member It and at its outer end against a head III of the threaded member 91. Thus this spring is constantly tending to shift the entire means 53 toward the right as viewed in Fig. 10.

When the solenoid II i energized it operates toshift the means at in the opposite direction against the action of the spring fill and to the position of Fig. 10. The teeth 55 are offset onehalf the width of a tooth with respect to the teeth 84. Therefore (with respect to Fig.- 10) when the solenoid 2| is deenerglzed the spring I will shift the device as so that as the teeth.

99 move from engagement with the teeth 85 the teeth 96 will enter into engagement with the teeth 84 but this shift will permit the bar 19 to move downwardly through the device 86 to the extent of a distance equal to one-half the width of one of the teeth of the bar.

From the foregoing it will be understood that when the solenoid was first energized and it moved the teeth 96 from engagement with the teeth 84 and the teeth 99 into engagement with the teeth 85 the bar I9 was permitted to move through the means 86 a distance equal to onehalf the width of any tooth of the bar I9. Thus for each time the solenoid is energized and then tie-energized, an adjustment equal to the width of one complete tooth is effected. An adjustment equal to the extent of one-half a tooth iseifected as the solenoid acts to shift the device 93 and a similar adjustment is effected when the spring I00 acts as the solenoid is deenergized.

In the operation of the machine the disc I6 is fed downwardly by gravity and is raised by' the rod I9 actuated by the cam 68 through the bar or lever 16 (see Fig. 18). Downward movement rod I0! is moved up and down it may pivot 0 bar H8 and in order that the push rod may have a straight path of movement the pivot may shift, by movement of the blocks I H, as the head I08 tilts or rock's. p

Cam I0 (see Figs. 3, 5 and 6) operates a pair of work clamps I20 comprising a pair of hooklike ends formed by bending over of the upper end portions of a pair of rods I2I passing through the bed I2 and also through extensions I22 of the V-blocks. At their lower-ends rods I2I" are secured in or to a head I23 to which is also attached the upper end of a bolt or threaded rod I24 having a manipulating head I25 for turning. This rod or bolt is free to turn in the head I23 but is not threaded to such head and is held against movement through the head.

trolled by the cam 68. Therefore in acycle of operation of the machine, following energizing and deenergizing of the solenoid 9|, the center has its yoke or bifurcated portion I05 straddling and guided by a concentric roller I06 on the shaft 52. Clearly as the cam 69 is turned itwill impart upward and downward movement to the device I04 and the latter has its upper arm on body I05 connected in any suitable manner to a push rod I01.

This push rod for (see Figs. 3, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21) at its upper end is connected with a head I08 secured to one end of a round rod or shaft I09 mounted on bearings H0 and III and located at one side of a slide II2 movable on a way I I3 and adapted for the feeding of work to and from the V-blocks I3 and I4. The body of bar I09 is eccentric with relation to its reduced end portions I'I4 located-in the bearings H0 and III and the rod I0! is connected with the head I08 in eccentric relation to the body I09. Therefore. it will be understood that as the rod I0! is moved upwardly the body I09 is given a turning movement about an eccentric axis comprising the bearing ends H4 and the purpose of this arspaced portions IIB of the head. A pair of blocks '1, slidable in parallel aligned slots in portions H6, are connected by a shaft or pivotal bar II8 integral with one of said blocks and passing through rod portion II5. A screw or similar means 'II9 serves to connect pivot bar II8 with the other block and to tie the blocks together. With this construction a the push Cam 10 has a path I26 in which is located a roller I21 on one end of an arm I28 entering the bifurcated portion I29.of a sort of hell crank I30 which is in turn pivoted at I3I between the ears I32 of a bracket I33 formed with or attached to the base-section II. At its forward end bell crank I30 is bifurcated and its bifurcated portions I34 are arranged at their respective sides over a collar or sleeve I35 through which the bolt I24 is threaded and such bifurcated portions are pivotallyfastened to such collar or sleeve as by pivot means I36.

Between its ends the bellcrank is pivoted at I3I to the bracket I33 andbetween its ends the arm I28 'is pivoted at I38 between the ears I29 of the bell crank. Inwardly of pivot I38 arm I28 is pivoted at I39 to a rod. I40 about which is arranged a coil spring I4I bearing at one end against theinner portion of the arm I28 and at its other end against a washeror head I42 adjustable along the rod I40 by nut I43 threaded to the rod. 1

With this arrangement as the cam I0 turns ,ro'ller I21 is moved vertically and acting through the arm I28 rocks the bell crank I30 on the pivot I 3| so as to move the rods I2I and thus the clamp fingers I20 upwardly and downwardly with respect to the V-blocks. The throw of the cam is-of course constant and by adjusting the bolt or threaded rod I24 the distance of movement or the stroke of the clamping fingers may be controlled. However, the most pressure that the predetermined pressure will have been placed on the work.- It will be clear that by adjusting the nut I43. the amount of this pressure may be varied.

The cam II (see Figs. 3, 7 and 12) is provided with a path I50. This cam serves to actuate a piston P located in the cylinder I5I whereby to provide fluid under pressure'for operating a work carrying slide. To the desired 'end a' lever I52 has one end pivotally connected at I 53 to the upper end of a piston rod I54 the piston P of which is located in the cylinder I5I.. Intermediate its ends arm I 52 is pivoted as at onto a bracket I56 andat its end remote from the piston rod mounts a roller I51 located in the cam path I50.

' accaaoo I extends upwardly and at its upper end is connected with a horizontally disposed pipe ISI '(see Fig. 7) having its end portion or connecting pipe I62 entering one end of a horizontally disposed cylinder I68. The upper end portion of cylinder II has connectedthereto a vertically disposed pipe I64 having its upper end portion I65 'communicatin with the other end portion of cylinder I68. V

Through a safety by-pass valve I66 a short piece of pipe I61 provides communication or a passageway from an intermediate portion of the pipe I64 to the inter'mediateportion ofthe pipe I68 while somewhat similarly, through a safety by-pass valve I66, a short pipe I69'provides communication from an intermediate portion of pipe I68 to an intermediate portion of pipe I34. A valve I18 provides means for controlling or cutting of! communication through pipes I64 and I66 and somewhat similarly a valve I1I located in the horizontal pipe I6I controls or cuts off flow of fluid through such pipe. In the short communieating pipes I61 and I69 are check valves IBM and i 68a, respectively.

Within the cylinder I63 is a piston I12 (see Figs. '7 and 11) mounted by a piston rod I13 including portions I14 and I15 passing through stufling boxes I16 and I11 at the respective ends of the cylinder I63. Cylinder I63 is located (Figs. 14 and 19) between the arms I18 and I18 of the way II3 located on the upper side of the bed I2 and mounting the slide II2. Slide H2 includes a body I88 having a cut-out or recess portion I8I to span the cylinder I63 and at opposite sides of said cut-out or recess portion includes surfaces I82 and I83 resting on or bearing on the upper'surface of the arms I18 and I19 respectively.

Fixed to 9. depending portion I84 of the slide body is a device I85 including a head-like portion I86 having a bevelled surface engaging the outer bevelled surface of the arm I18. vAt the outer side of the way 3 slide II2 includes a depending portion I84a mounting an adjustable gib I81 shaped to underlie the outer inclined surface of the arm I19 ofthe way. In this construction the gib I81 is held in place by a support I44 and .adjustable screw I45. Thus gib I81 may be adjusted to compensate for wear and it, together with device I85, serves to hold the slide to the way for movement therealong.

A rib I88 on the bed I2 includes a portion I88 overlying the outer end of the member or'device I86 whereby the entire slide is held against any tendency toward a vertical movement. Arm I18 0! the'way H3 is provided with a row of suit ably spaced tapped openings I88 into any of which may be threaded abolt I88a pas'singthroug'h a bracket I8I (see Fig. 14) carrying a'stop device I82 in the form of a screw passing through, a

bifurcated portion I83 of the bracket andlietween the arms of such bifurcated portion mounting a wheel I84. This wheel is threaded to the screw I92 but cannot move along the latter because of the position of the wheel between the arms of thebifurcated portion of the bracket.

screw provides for micrometer adiustments of the stop which actuallycomprises an enlarged or head-like portion 586 of the screw. For coarser diustments the bolt I88a is threaded into aselected one of the tapped recesses I88 in the arm I18, the bracket I8I' and parts mounted thereon being positioned depending on the opening into i which the bolt is threaded. The manner in which the stop functions will later be set forth in detail.

From the upper side of one end portion of cylinder I88 a relatively smallmdiameter pipeor.

tube I86 communicates with an oil cup or bottle I81 located well .above any other portion of the hydraulic system. From this bottle or cup I81 a pipe I88 communicates with the other end portion of the cylinder I68. At its outer end the portion I16 of piston-rod I18 is connected with the slide II2 as at I88.(see Fig. 11). "I'heend portion I14 of the piston rod is constantly within the-packing nut I16a which, as shown in Fig. '1, includes a relatively long tubular portion forming a guard for the said portion of the piston rod.

Therefore, as the cam .II is rotated and shifts the piston P downwardly in the cylinder III, fluid under pressure passes upwardly through the pipe I68 and pipes I6I and I62 to one end of cylinder I68 and engaging the piston I12 within such cylinder forces the same in one direction in the cylinder as toward the right in Figs. 7 and 11. The piston rod being connected with the slide II2 the latter is moved along the way III or in the direction of the V-blocks and the cutoff wheel. Any excessive pressure developedin the hydraulic system will be by-passed through I the valve I68 and pipe I68 to the pipe I84 and I61, will be by-passed from pipe I64 over to pipe I68 and immediately returned to the lower end of the cylinder I6I. As the slide reaches the limit of its movement toward the left it will engage the head I88 of the screw I82 and be held against further movement. Should this engagev ment take place prior to the completion of the" stroke of piston P the fluid under pressure will merely be by-passed through valve I66 and pipe I61 back to the lower end of the cylinder III through the pipe I68.

On the upper side of the slide H2 is a work clam generally designated 288 and (see Figs.

13, 14, 18, and 17) comprising a fixed block "I anda movable block 282, the latter being fixed on an arm 288 pivoted to the upper side of the slide as at 284. Pivot 284 is located intermediate Therefore on turning of the wheel the screw will be longitudinally adjusted.

This described construction of the wheel and the ends 0! arm 288 and between the other end of said arm and a fixed block 286, also on the upper sideof the slide H2 is a-relatively heavy coil spring 288. Clearly this spring is constantly tending to rock the lever 288 about the pivot 284 to carry the block 282 towards the block "I.

The described parts of work clamp 288 are all mounted on a plate 281 secured to the slide III as by screws 288.

Replaceable jaws 288 and 2I8 respectively are fixed to the opposing surfaces of the blocks 2" and m by bolts 2". In turn the block in is adjustable toward and from the b ock 202 and the latter is similarly adjustable with respect to the former. To the desiredend block 20! is disposed on a pad 2|2 (Figs. 16 and 17) having a T-slot 2l3 opening through its upper side and a bolt 2| 4 passing through the block is threaded into a nut M5 in said slot. Block 202 is d sposed on a head part '2l6 of the arm 203 and the lat er has a T-siot 2" opening through its upper side. A bolt 2 I8 passing downwardly through the block 202 is threaded into a nut (not shown) in the slot 2. Clearly, on loosening of the bolts 2 and 218 the blocks 20! and 202 may be adjusted along. the slots 2| 3 and 2".

On the outer side of the free end'portion of arm 203 is a head 2| 9 constantly engaged by a roller 220 and the upper end portion of a bell crank arm 22l pivotally mounted as. at 222 on The To start the machine, a switch is closed energizing solenoid 23th and the latter shifts thepawl 23i a to released position releasing the disc 23! b having been de-energized, pawl 23: again this arrangement, itwill be seen that when said bar is rocked on its eccentric mounting, as to the position of Fig. 14, the arm 203 is generally bell crank 22i will be rocked to move the roller 220 inwardly toward the slide and rock the lever 203, compressing the spring 206, and shifting the jaw 209 away from the jaw 2.l0 thus opening the jaws for the reception of work.

When the position of bar I09 is reversed, that is when its lower side is upwardly, the spring 206 acts on the arm or lever 203 and causes the head 219 to follow and keep in contact with the roller 220 and at the same time, lever 203 being rocked on pivot 204, the jaw 209 is carried toward the jaw 2l0 so that a piece of work will be clamped between these jaws. The timing relationshipof the action just described, with respect to the remaining operations of the machine, will be fully set forth in a later part of the description.

Pulley 56 is freely turnable about cam shaft 52 but at predetermined times is connected thereto through the one revolution clutch means 12, as for example a so-called "Hilliard single revolution clutch. Such clutch means (see particularly Figs. 22. 23 and 24) includes a hollow drum 225 havin a hub-portion 225a freely turnable on the shaft 52 and having the pulley 56 fixed thereto.

- Extending within the drum 225 is a core portion 226 keyed to the shaft 52 as by a key 221. Fixed to the outer end portion of core 226 is a plate 228 and between such plate and the drum In Fig. 4 the pawl is shown as-having an arm in en"agement with the shoulder 230h of the plate 229 and the other arm of the pawl is connected with the soeno-id. When the pawl is in the position of Fig. 4, the cam shaft 52 is stationary and the machine has just finished a cut,

engages the shoulder 230k of the disc 229and the machine is stopped, a piece having been cut from the work. As the pawl is again engaged by shoulder 23011. the cage 230 is held and the core moves with the shaft and instantly the core and drum are disconnected and rotation of thecam shaft ceases. It will be understood that when the cam shaft is stopped as described, the motor 23 continues to operate so that the disc I6 is being rotated and the motor 59 continues to operate 50 that the -pulley'5l; is being rotated with the drum 225;

Located below the V-blocks in the path of movement of the cut-off disc I6 is a button-like piece 232 carried in an arm 233 comprising part of a bent rod which also includes a portion 234 disposed horlzontally and mounted for turning movement in a bearing or housing 235 and a vertically extending portion 236 having its upper free end inengagement with the operating button of a micro switch 231. Switch 231 is a normally closed switch but is held open by the arm 236, as such arm, and in fact the entire rod comprising said arm as wellas arm 233 and portion 234. are biased by a torsion spring 238. When the disc l6 passes through a piece of work and engages the button 232 the latter is depressed, rocking downwardly the arm 233 and rocking laterally the arm 236 against the tendency of the spring 238 so that the micro switch 231 is permitted to close. The operation of this switch as well as the operation of switch 83 will further be described when a complete description of the operation of the machine is undertaken.

. About the wheel or cut-off disc 16 is a metal housing 240 having a slot 24| in one side wall and through which the mounting for the wheel l6 passes. of the wheel and a shell device 242 carried by the wheel mounting serves to maintain said slot closed in various positions of the wheel. A liquid coolant is constantly supplied to the work'held in the V-block and a'small motor 243 drivesthe pump 244 taking the liquid from any suitable source, as the tank 239, and from a pipe 245 pumps the liquid up through pipe 246 and 241' to a pipe or nozzle 240 extending through'cove'r ings or plates 249 in the front wall of the housa mg 240. A door 250 in the front wall of the base section II gives access'to the interior of such section for the purpose of making adjust ments or otherwise. v

The way H3 also mounts a guard means comprising sections 25i and 252. Each of these.

guard devices or housing units .is generally U-shaped in transverse section (see Figs. 2,7 and l4) and the slide H2 has a similarly shaped open-- ing 253 therethrough. When the slide is in one, extreme position, .as in Fig. "I, thecasing 25l extends entirely through the slide and it will be clear from the same figure that as the slide is This slot permits of vertical movement of the casing unit III, depending-on the extent of movement of the slide. As shown, the slide is in its extreme position in Fig. 7 and the cylinder Ill passes through the end wall I of the casing "I. The top wallof such casing unit is' hinged as at "I whereby the casing may be opened to give access to the stop device including the bracket "I whereby the desired adjust ment of the stop device may be made.

since the circuits employed are very simple, no wiring diagram has been shown. However, on a panel I" (see Fig. 1) there are mounted the various control switches of the machine and these include a switch 251 controlling the motor .2 of the coolant pump, a so-called jogging Batten m, the start and stop swith m for the motor II, the start and stop switch ill for the motor 48 and the switch means Ill includina start. stop and jog buttons for the cam shaft motor ll.

When setting the machine up for any particular piece of work the cam shaft may be given an intermlttent movement through the jog button or switch means "I or by hand wheel 282 fixed on the shaft '2 at the outer side of the frame part II. After the proper adjustments have been made, the cutting wheel I is pushed upwardly until the collar l8 andthe element 08 are at the upper end of the lift bar II. t 1

At this time the work is being held in the V-blocks by the clamping hooks l2. and the feeding clamp means is released from the work although the slide H2 remains stationary and is in its inner or forward position. When the cam ll reaches a position so that the roller 15 of the arm 18 is free to move upwardly in the cam path I4 as to the position of Fig. 18, movement of the cam shaft ceases and the arm 24 and parts thereon, including the wheel it, rocks downwardly carrying the wheel toward the work.

As the cam it remains stationary at this time, the rod is moved downwardly as the cutting assembly gravitates about the pivot 25 under the control of the dash pot l2 and the wheel engages the work. The downward movement of the wheel may not be suflicient to cut entirelythrough the work. This will be owing to the fact that the wheel has been pushed to its uppermost position.

The machine is permitted to operate so that the wheel cuts as far as it may and then the jog button I" is pressed and energizes the solenoid 9| to operate the means 91 and permit of lowering of cutting assembly a predetermined amount on the rod 19. Button 2" may be operated to jog the machine as many times as necessary to have the wheel cut entirely through the work and to have the wheel engage the button 232 at the underside of the work.

Now the machine is ready to continue its own operations once the wheel has cut through a piece of work and engaged said button 232. As the cut is finished the path I4 in the cam 08 takes control of the roller on the arm II and shifts the same downwardly thus shifting bar 19 upwardly together with the entire cutting assembly and raising the cutting wheel up out of the work.

Not until after the wheel is free of the work, but while thewheel is still moving upwardly, the hydraulic means functions to shift the carriage Ill back along the way Ill until such carriage asain engages the stop I82. At this point the cam is operates to elevate the yoke or fork I01 and thus rock the bar Ills about its eccentric mounting whereby the bell crank member "I .ma rock outwardly on its pivot 22! and the spring 2" may function to cause the clampi element or arm I" to turn about its pivot and bring its Jaw ill into clamping relation with the work. Thus the feed grips are now closed on the work.

'Next the hook bolts III a e released by the timed operation of the cam II and thereafter the slide H2 is given its forward movement to carry the work forwardly in the V-blocks. As the work is carried forwardly by the movement of the slide, the forward end of the work piece will push' the previously cut off piece from the V-blocks and it may be removed from the machine manually or automatically, as desired. The forward feed of the slide continues until the front stop is reached and this stop comprises a hardened insert "In in the V-blocks and positioned to be engaged by the leading or forward end of the piston rod I'll. the end portion 264 of which makes the engage- 'ment and projects through the inner end of the slide III, as best shown in Fig. 11. I

The end of the forward movement having been reached, the hook bolts llll are drawn downwardly to engage the work, this operation being caused by the feed of the cam ll and thereafter the feed grips, including the portions 2M and 202, are released from thework as' the cam raises the yoke I01 to rock the eccentric mounting bar 109 and have it through the roller 224 pivot the bell crank III on the pivot 22! and press inwardly on the free end .portion of the arm 20! compressing the spring I" and movin the Jaw 208 away from the work.

At this time cam 88 is moved into a position wherein the sharprise (see Fig. 18) comes below the roller 15 on the lever II so that such lever is no longer supported and it permits the entire cutting assemblyto i'all downwardly by gravity,

, about the pivot 25. The weight of this downmechanism overbalances the weight 20 at the rear of pivot 25.

At 'this time the cam shaft has moved one complete revolution and new the one revolution clutch 220 is stopped since its tooth or shoulder sun has again come against the end of the bell crank or pawl Illa. The wheel continues to cut down through the work and engages the button to energize the solenoid :Ilb. This rocks the pawl la and releases the one revolution clutch so that the pulley II is again driving the cam shaft through the one revolution clutch and the cycle of operation begins over the wheel being elevated, the slide being moved out or back. the work being clamped, etc.

The extension II' on the arm II occupies a constant relation to said arm and the arm is always lowered a predetermined amount or through a deiinite'up and down movement. The movement of the wheel depends on the place or connection of its mounting arm 24 with the bar 19. Thus. when this bar comes down, the wheel may engage the button 232 to energize solenoid nib before the extension ll closes the switch 82.

However, when the wheel has worn so that it does not engage the button 232 there, is no start of the next movement or cycle of operation of the machine. At such time downward movement of the bar 19 brings its extension 8| intoposition closing the switch 82 and this energizes the solenoid at to shiftithe mean jez nd bring about a downward movement of v the 'wheel i6 and its supporting structure relative to the bar 19. This j lets the Wheel engage thebutton to operate sole- [noid'23lb and continue the machine's operating ,cycle.. In connection with the solenoid ill and means 93, it is notedthatthe feed or movement of arm 86 downwardly with respect tofbar' 19 is in each instance such that the wheel'is lowered an amount greater thanthev utmost wear of the wheel in the making'of any single cut;

Itis pointed out that in'a machineof this type there is no particular relation between the time required for the wheel to cut through a piece of work and the time required to shift the work to bring a new piece in position for cutting by the wheel. Therefore in this machine, I provide the one revolution clutch I2 'andits controls so that said wheelior movement toward said support to out work "thereon, means operable through a there is a definite timing for movement of the slide back and forth, for movement of the clampthough the motor 59 remains in operation during cutting of a piece of work, the cam shaft remains stationary and the wheel l6 creates its own time in cutting through the work. If it is a small piece of work, the wheel cuts through it in a very short time and engages the button 232 and starts the cycle of operation of the entire machine. Where a larger diameter piece of work is concerned the wheel takes more time to get through it and consequently the cam shaft remains stationary for a longer time. The cams are so cut as to make all parts of the releasing, feeding and clamping cycle fixed, but this cycle is timed for itself and is apart from any time that may be consumed by the wheel going through the work. In other words, the wheel itself engages the button 232, sets in operation the machines pre-determined cycle and is, in eiTect, a timing device.

In connection with the slide H2 and the way H3, attention is particularly invited to Fig. 15. There it is shown that the way H3 is inclined so that, as the slide moves toward the V-blocks the end of the work is raised. The actual inclination is very slight but it is sufficient to raise the work from contact with the V-blocks as the work is moved forward. This saves wear of the V-blocks such as would be occasioned by constant sliding of work over the V-blocks if the ways H3 were wards said support, cam controlled means for moving work to said support, cam controlled means for clamping work on said. support,"cam

controlled means for rocking said arm to move said wheel away from said support, means for operating all or said cam controlled means in predetermined order, and means associated with said support and adapted to be engaged by said cut-offwheel to start a cycle of operation of said cammean's. a

2. In an abrasive cut -ofi machine, a work support, an abrasive cut-ofi' WheeLmeans mounting v I cycle or f operation.

. definite cycle tofeed a piece of work tosaid'support, clamp the work againstlsaid support, start .thewheeltoward' said support and thenfstop, and

meanscontroll'ed by'said wheel when ithascut throughapiec'e of work on said support to again start thefirst mentioned means through said 3. In an abrasive cut-off machine, a work supflport, an abrasive wheel, means mounting said wheel for movementtoward and from said sup- .port, a slide, work grips on said slide, work clamps associated with said support, a cam shaft, cams on said shaft and controlling respectively movemerit of said slide, operation of said grips and operation of'said work clamps, means driving said cam shaft, said means including a driving motor and a one revolution clutch operable to permit of driving of said cam shaft by said motor to operate a means to move the abrasive wheel away a from the work support, to release the work r ps on the slide, to move the slide outwardly along the work, to cause said grips to engage the work, to then move the slide inwardly to feed the work over said work support and to then cause the work clamps to engage the work and hold it against said support, and to then disconnect the driving motor from the cam shaft, said means for moving the cut-off wheel away from the work operable to release the cut-off wheel for movement I toward the work on the completion of the revolution of the cam shaft, and means under said work support and adapted to be engaged by said outoiI wheel when the latter has passed through a piece of work to cause release of said one revolu-. tion clutch to start a second revolution of the cam shaft and thus a second cycle of operation of the machine.

4. An abrasive cut-off machine, a work support, an abrasive cut-off wheel; means mounting said Wheel for movement toward and from the work support to cut through a piece of work on the latter and to then recede, a bar, a cam for controlling movement of said bar through definite lengths, means connecting said bar with said wheel to control movements thereof toward and from the work support, said means comprising an adjustable connection, and means operable to shift the point of such connection to further the movement of the wheel toward the work support on the stopping of such movement of the wheel short of a predetermined movement toward such support.

6. In an abrasive cut-oft machine, a work support, an abrasive cut-oiI-wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward and from .said support, means for. feeding work to said support, said last meanscomprising a slide, a cylinder, a

piston in said cylinder and connected with said slide, a pump cylinder connected at its respective ends with the respective ends of the first cylinder, 9. piston in said pump cylinder, a cam, meansfor rotating said cam, means operated by said cam for reciprocating the piston in the pump cylinder inpredetermined timed relation to have said pumpcylinder supply fluid under pressure to the first mentioned cylinder alternately fat there- 'spective sides of the pistonin the latter to move saidslide first in one direction and then in the opposite direction as the piston is reciprocated in the pump cylinder. v

I 6. In a cut off machine, a work support, means to automatically feed work to said supportv and to then stop, a cut-off wheel movable towardand from said work support, means to start the first device positioned to be engaged by said cut-t! wheel when the latter has passed through a piece of work. v

7. In an abrasive cut-off machine, a work support, an abrasive cut-off wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward and from work on said support to cut through a piece of work and then recede from the support, a bar, an ad- ,iustable connection between thewheel and bar, said bar controlling movements of said wheel toa ward and from said support, and means operable to adjust said connection to permit of further movement of the wheel toward the support on stopping of such a movement of the wheel short of a predetermined movement in the direction of the support.

8. In an abrasive cut-off machine, a work sup.

port, hydraulic means toautomatically feed work .to said support and to then stop, a cut-off wheel to said support and to then stop, a cut-oi! wheel movable toward and from said work support, a

control means positioned to be engaged by said cut-off wheel on the latter passing through a piece of work on said support, said control means when engaged by said wheel adapted to first move the wheel back from the work and then start the site direction, and means supplying fluid under pressure alternately to opposite ends 01 the cylinder of said construction.

9. In an abrasive cut-ofi machine, a work support, hydraulic means to automatically feed work movable toward and from said work support, means to start the hydraulic means into operation on said cut-off wheel passing through and receding from a piece of work on said support, said hydraulic means comprising a workcarrying slide, a piston and cylinder construction. connected to move said slide first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, a pump for supplying fluid under pressure first to one end ofsaid cylinder and then to the other end thereof, a cam shaft, and a cam on said shaft and connected to operate said pump.

10. In an abrasive cut-oil machine, a work support, clamping bolts for holding'work against such support, a cut-oil wheel movable toward and from said work support, means to move said clamping bolts to and from clamping relation with work on said support, said means including a cam shaft and cam, articulated lever means operated from said. cam, and said lever means including a spring adapted to yield on attempt to transmit an excessive pressure from the cam through such lever means whereby the spring controls the maximum pressure with which the clamps may be brought against the work.

11. In an abrasive cut-oil machine, a work support, a work carrying slide for moving work to saidsupport, a work clamp on said slide and com. prising a pair of Jaws adapted to be opened for receiving work and to be thereafter closed on the to said support, a work clamping means on said slide and comprising a pair of jaws adapted to be vopened to receive work and to be closed to clamp the work, cam controlled means for shifting said slide toward said work support to carry work thereto andto move the slide away from the work support to have it engage a new portion 01' the work, means for causing said Jaws to grip the work when the slide has been moved away from said work support. other cam controlled means for opening said jaws when the slide has moved the work to the support, and means whereby said cam controlled means will start in operation on said cut-oil. wheel passing through a piece of work on said support.

13. In an abrasive cut-oi! machine, a work support, a cut-oi! wheel movable toward and from said work supportj'a slide for carrying work to said support, a work clamping means on said slide and comprising a pair of jaws adapted to be opened to receive work and to be closed to clamp the work, cam controlled means for shifting said slide toward said work support to carry work thereto and to move the slide away from the work support to have it engage a new portion of the work, spring means for causing said Jaws to grip thework' when the slide has been moved away from said work support, other cam controlled means for then opening said Jaws on the slide being moved toward the work support, and means whereby both said cam controlled means will start in operation on said cut-oi! wheel passing through a piece of work on said support.

14. In an abrasive cut-off machine, a work support, a cut-off wheel movable toward and from said work support, a slide for carrying work to said support, a work clamping means on said .slide and comprising a pair of .laws adapted to be opened to receive work and to be closed to clamp the work, means for shifting said slide toward said work support to carry work thereto and to move the slide away from the work support to have it engage a new portion of the work, spring means for causing said jaws to grip the work when the slide has been moved away from said work support, cam controlled means for then opening said jaws on the slide being again moved toward the work support, means whereby said cam controlled means will start in, operation on said cut-off wheel passing through a piece of work on said support, said jaws each including a mounting portion, blocks on said mounting portion adjustable thereon toward and from one another. and jaw plates on the opposing surfaces of said blocks.

15. In an abrasive cut-oifmachine, a work support, an abrasive cut-off wheel, means mounting said wheel and-movable toward and from said support to cut through a piece of work thereonand then recede from the support, a bar, an adjustable connection between the wh el and bar, said bar controlling movements oi said wheel toward and from said support, said connection between the bar and wheel comprising teeth on said bar, toothed means interlocking with the teeth of said bar, a solenoid and spring for shifting said tooth means first in one direction and then in the other on energizing and deenergizing of said solenoid, said toothed means on being shifted by said solenoid and spring bringing about relative movement of the wheel and bar to permit of further movement of the wheel toward the work support for the same movement of the bar, and means for energizing said solenoid on stopping of the movement of 17 the wheel short or movement through work on said support.

16. The combination as in claim 15 wherein said bar istoothed at opposite edges and wherein said toothed means comprises a pair or toothed dogs engaged with the respective edges of the bar, the relaive arrangement of the parts being such that when the teeth of one dog are engaged with the teeth of one side of the bar the teeth of the other dog are released from the teeth of the bar, and the widths and locations of the teeth of the bar and dogs being such that as said dogs are shifted by the solenoid the wheel is lowered one-half of a tooth width with respect to the bar and as the dogs are shifted by the spring the wheel is lowered an additional one-half of a tooth width relative to the bar.

1'7. In an abrasive cut-off machine, a work support, a way at one side of said support, a slide on said way and movable thereon toward and from the work support, said slide on its movement toward the work support adapted to carry work to the latter, and said way inclined toward said support whereby as the slide moves toward the support the work is slightly elevated from the latter and does not slide thereon.

18. In an abrasive cut-ctr machine, a work support, a way at one sid of said support, a slide on said way and movable thereon toward and from the work support, a work clamp on said support including a pair of jaws adapted to be opened to receive work and to be closed to grip the work, means maintaining said jaws open while the slide is moving from the work support, means to close said jaws to have them grip the work at the end of such movement or the slide, said slide on its movement toward the work support adapted to carry work to the latter, and said way inclined toward said support whereby as the slide moves toward the support the work is slightly elevated from the latter and does not slide thereon.

19. The combination as in claim 18 wherein cam means maintain said jaws open during outward movement of the slide and spring means maintain said jaws in gripping relation with the work during inward movement of the slide.

20. In a cut-off machine having a cutting station, an abrasive cut-oflz wheel, means mounting said wheel for gravitational movement toward said station to out work, means operable through a definite cycle to feed a piece of work to said station, means to grip and hold the work at said station, start the wheel toward said station and then stop while the wheel moves by gravity toward said station, and means operable when said wheel has cut through a piece of work at said station to again start the first mentioned means through said cycle of operation,

21. In a cut-off machine having a cutting station, an abrasive cut-off wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward and from said station. a slide, work grips on said slide, means for gripping and holding work at said station, a cam shaft, means on said shaft for controlling respectively movement of said slide, operation of the grip on the slide and operation of said means for gripping and holding the work at the station, means driving said cam shaft, said means including a driving motor and a one revolution clutch operable to permit of driving of said cam shaft by said motor to operate a means to move the abrasive wheel away from the cutting sta tion, to release the work grips on the slide, to move the slide outwardly along the work, to

cause said grips to engage the work, to then move the slide inwardly to feed the work to said cutting station and to cause the means for gripping and holding the work at the station to 5 engage and hold the same, and to then disconnect the driving motor from the cam shaft, said means for moving the cut-off wheel away from the work operable to release the cut-oil wheel for movement toward the work on completion of the revolution of the cam shaft, and means at one side of said cutting station and adapted to be engaged by said cut-ofl wheel when the latter has passed through a piece of work to cause release of said one revolution clutch to start the second revolution of the cam shaft and thus a second cycle of operation of the machine.

22. In a cut-ofl machinaa cutting station, means for gripping and holding work at said station, means to automatically feed work to said means for gripping and holding the work and to then stop, a cut-ofl wheel movable toward and from said station, means to start the second mentioned means into operation on said cut-off wheel passing through a piece of work on said support, and said last means including a control device positioned to be engaged by said cut-off wheel when the latter has passed through a piece of work.

23. In a cut-ofi machine, a work support, means to automatically feed work to said support and to then stop, a cut-off wheel movable toward and from said work support, electrically operated means to start the first mentioned means into operation on said cut-off wheel passing through a piece of work held by said support, and said electrical means including a control means positioned to be engaged by said wheel on the same passing through a piece of work held by said support.

24. In a cut-off machine, a cutting station, means to support work at said station, means to automatically feed work to said support and to then stop, a cut-oi! wheel movable toward and from said work support, means to start the first mentioned means into operation on said cut-oil. wheel passing through a piece of work on said support, said last means including an electrically controlled device positioned to be engaged by said cut-off wheel when the latter has passed through a piece of work.

25. In a cut-off machine, a work support, means to automatically feed work to said support and to stop, a cut-off wheel movable toward and from said work support, and electrical means including a switch means positioned to be engaged by said wheel to start the first mentioned means into operation on said cut-off wheel passing through a piece of work held by said support.

26. In an abrasive cut-off machine having a cutting station, an abrasive cut-off wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward and from said station to cut through a piece of work at the latter and to then recede, means connected with said wheel to control movements thereof toward and from the cutting station, a cam for controlling movement of said means connected with said wheel, said means connected with said wheel including an adjustable connection, and'means operable to adjust said connection to further the movement of the wheel toward the cutting station on the stopping of such movement of the wheel short of a predetermined movement toward such station.

27. In an abrasive cut-cit machine including a cutting station, an abrasive cut-oil wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward and from work at said station to cut through a piece of work and then recede irom the station, means controlling movements of said wheel toward and from said station, said means including an ad- ,iustable connection, and means operable to adjust said connection to permit of further movemerit of the wheel toward the station on stopping of such a movement of the wheel short of a predetermined movement in the direction of the station.

28. In an abrasive cut-ofl machine having a cutting station, an abrasive cut-off wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward and from said station to cut through a piece of work at the latter and to then recede, means connected with said wheel to control movements thereof toward and from the cutting station, a cam for controlling movement of said means connected with said wheel, said means connected with said wheel including an adjustable connection, and electrically operable means to adjust said connection to further the movement of the wheel toward the cutting station on the stopping of such movement of the wheel short of a predetermined movement toward such station.

29. In an abrasive cut-oi! machine including a cutting station, an abrasive cut-oi! wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward and from work at said station to out through a piece of work and then recede from the station, means controlling movements of said wheel toward and from said station, said means including an ad- Justable connection, and electrically operable means to adjust said connection to permit of further movement 01 the wheel toward the station on stopping of such a movement of the wheel short of a predetermined movement in the direction of the station.

30. In a cut-oi! machine having a cutting station, a cut-off wheel, means mounting said wheel for movement toward said station to out work. means operable through a definite cycle to feed a piece of work to said station, means to grip and hold the work at said station, start the wheel toward said station and then stop, and electric switch means located to be engaged and actuated by said wheel when it has cut through a piece of work at said station to again start the firist mentioned means through said cycle of operat on.

HARRY G. ROBINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 344,777 Griswold June 29, 1886 1,341,818 Onsrud June 1, 1920 2,397,974 Morrow et al. Apr. 9, 1946 

